Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman says he is hoping for a much quieter game against Albania on Friday than the first match against Czech Republic.
The Newcastle United shotstopper drew plaudits from his manager John Peacock following his performance in the first-half of the 1-0 opening victory, and he produced a fantastic save to deny the hosts a sensational goal.
Vaclav Cerny hit a shot from the halfway line that was sailing just under the crossbar, but Woodman showed great reflexes to get back and tip the ball over the bar – a pivotal moment in the match as England regrouped and went on to claim victory.
ENGLAND v ALBANIA
UEFA European U17 Championship Elite Qualifying Round
Friday 28 March
Stonky, Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic
Woodman told TheFA.com: “It was a great result for the boys. I thought first twenty minutes we were not that great but we grew into it as the game went on.
“Dom has come up with a goal after the shot from Izzy and it is a relief to get the win and get those three points on the board.”
Woodman had done his homework pre-match, and his studying proved key to stop the unexpected effort from Cerny. He said: “It was one of the toughest halves that I’ve had with England to be fair. With the atmosphere, it gave it a bit more of an edge to the game and it was a tremendous.
“I had been watching the videos of their strikers before the match and we had spotted that he liked to try and shoot from the half way, so I was prepared. The gaffer and Simon Smith, my goalkeeping coach, had sat down and shown us numerous examples of him trying it, but he did catch me a bit off guard.
“I knew it was coming, but it was still a bit of a surprise. I just remember him hitting it and looking back and thinking ‘He could be doing me here,’ but luckily I did just manage to get it over the bar.
“Then big Dael Fry, who I’m rooming with, came running over with a big grin on his face and give me a high-five.”
Woodman is hoping for a quieter time on Friday when England face Albania in their second group match, and spoke of the importance of getting out of the traps early.
He added: “It’s massive to get off to a good start against Albania. In the Elites, you don’t get any second chances, so we need to get it right from the off. Last year we got knocked out by Russia, and the dividing line between success and failure is so thin, so we need these three points.
“I’ll be talking to Dael and Joe Gomez beforehand, and hoping for a much quieter first-half.”
